Service Animal Guidelines

Waubonsee Community College (WCC) makes every reasonable effort to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as amended in 2008 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. In compliance with these acts and in the best interest of the community it serves, WCC has issued the following information to clarify the requirements of having a service animal on campus.

How "Service Animal" is Defined

A service animal is defined as a dog or miniature horse that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. The work or task must be directly related to the individual’s disability. Service animals are working animals, not pets. Illinois Statute defines a service animal in training as a service animal.

Where Service Animals are Allowed

Service animals have access to any area on campus that is generally open to the public. However, it may be appropriate to exclude a service animal from an area where the animals’ presence may compromise a sterile environment or if the facility cannot accommodate the type, size and weight of the animal.

Service Animals Must be Under Control

Responsibilities of a service animal handler:

• All animals must be under the handler’s control. Animals must be kept on a leash, harness, or tether unless doing so would interfere with the animal’s ability to perform their work or task. In those circumstances the handler may use voice commands, hand signals or other effective means to maintain control of the animal.
• The service animal must be housebroken. It is the handler’s sole responsibility to ensure that the animal is taken outside to relieve itself and to dispose of waste material appropriately.

A handler will be required to remove a service animal from campus that is not under the handler’s control or housebroken. The service animal can also be removed if it compromises the legitimate safety requirements of the facility or is identified as posing a safety risk to others.

Non-service Animals

Emotional, support, comfort, or therapy animals are not service animals under Title II and Title III of the ADA and are generally not permitted on campus. Non-service animals are often used to ameliorate stress or provide comfort to others and are not limited to individuals with disabilities. Although some animals are part of a medical therapy plan please note that a doctor's letter or therapy plan does not turn an animal into a service animal. Non-service animals are not guaranteed access to public areas under the law and if allowed on campus may be restricted to designated areas.

Students who wish to request permission to have a non-service animal on campus must meet with the Manager of the Access Center for Disability Resources prior to bringing any animal on campus. Students may contact (630) 466-2564 for additional information and to schedule an appointment.